Community Blog

The KCP office has received a flood of registration letters for the Kutztown Kruizz in the past few days. The event has been on our minds down here since the beginning of summer (after all, gear for the Kruizz takes up a good sized chunk of our basement space) and now that the pre-registration period is over things are really starting to come together.

A few years ago this event was known as “Muscle on Main”, but last year it received a make-over for the bicentennial celebration. This will be the second year that it is known as Kutztown Kruizz, and it’s shaping up to be quite an exciting day! Along with the car show there will be local bands playing and a patio opening at Main Street Inn, and later in the evening there will be a performance by the ever popular Famous Grease Band. After dark there will be a showing of Cannonball Run in the park.

Kutztown Kruizz begins at 10am on July 30th and all proceeds of the event will be donated to Kutztown Strong, an organization which focuses on creating a safe, drug-free environment for Kutztown youth.

The bluesy strains of the Kutztown Jazz Ensemble drifted over Kutztown Community Park under a sunny afternoon sky on June 11th as people from all over the region gathered for the 7th annual Taste of Kutztown Festival. It was a scorcher, but an excellent day nonetheless for sampling the refreshing flavors of local breweries and wineries; along with those of the friendly bakeries, orchards, and dairies that came out in droves to peddle and sample their various culinary wares. One of the first of such things my boyfriend and I came across was Babanonna’s Kiffles. He asked me what the heck a kiffle is, and since I couldn’t answer that question we both tried one. The definition we settled on was “Incredible”. They were flaky on the outside, gooey on the inside, and dusted with sugar. What more could you want in a pastry? Or any food, for that matter.

An assortment of fascinating local artists and artisans stood sprinkled amongst the tantalizing food tents, their shining or scented products arranged on tables for festival patrons to peruse. Sheila Sacks, a soap maker extraordinaire from eastern Pennsylvania, stood out among the other craftsmen with her unique ability to translate characters and motifs from popular movies and TV shows into scents, which she uses for some of her soaps. I highly recommend looking her up if you have a loved one who enjoys Harry Potter, Sherlock, or Doctor Who. I never thought about what Sherlock Holmes would smell like until I checked out Sheila’s booth, but it seems to me that she was spot on with her “221B ‘Bather’ Street” box.

After we had seen all there was to see of vendors, my boyfriend and I strolled over to the concert shell where the sweet jams of local bands had been adding a layer of folksy joviality to the atmosphere of the festival. I had the opportunity to speak with Jon Smith of Jonathan Monument, a musician who performed at Taste of Kutztown last year and has also played at Young Ones Records. I asked him what he thought of our town since he’s been here a few times, and after thinking for a moment he said: “Kutztown? More like Awesome Town.” I had to agree. He went on to say that Main Street is “super keen” for having so many small businesses in a condensed area. “It’s nice to see in a world so dominated by big companies,” he said.

Wandering from tent to tent, I gathered a fantastic sense of the community that is abundant in Kutztown. There was a glowing energy of friendliness and joy that I, personally, have never felt anywhere but here. I overheard a quote from a passing woman that I think perfectly describes Taste of Kutztown: “Now this is what I call ‘stinkin’ cute.”

Any vinyl lover or music addict in Kutztown is familiar with Young Ones Records on Whiteoak street. Since opening their doors in Kutztown in 1990, they have set about their business not only selling mainstream vinyl and CD’s, but promoting local bands by hosting in-store performances and selling merchandise. “I consider that a role of an indie record store,” says owner Caecilia Holt. Young Ones features an expansive selection of local music that grows and changes each time they have a new band in to perform.

A current goal the owners have for Young Ones is to see the store grow a performance venue and feature more signed bands. With the performance by the Front Bottoms this past winter and an appearance by Chuck Mosely (former front-man of Faith No more) scheduled this summer, that goal is certainly within reach.

Stepping inside Althea’s Imaginarium, customers are greeted by the wave of a welcoming smiley-face flag and the spicy aroma of incense. The colorful atmosphere is augmented by the glint of beautiful glass pipes made from American glass by local artists.

Althea’s has been open in Kutztown since November of 2011 (and on the jam band circuit for 5 years before that), selling a variety of items from beaded curtains to hacky sacks. Also available are custom made glass mosaic boxes.

Althea’s Imaginarium is located at 261 West Main Street and is open from 11:00am to 8:00pm.

Paisley and Company is Kutztown’s main stop for all bath, boutique, and fragrance indulgences. Since 2003, Joanne Lapic and David Miller have been focused on bringing the small pleasures of life straight to you through their unique shopping atmosphere. From handcrafted soaps to soothing lip balms, Paisley and Co. has the right stuff to leave you feeling refreshed.

In addition to retail, Paisley and Co. offers custom made wedding and party favors along with shower hosting and other events in store at their Fragrance Bar, bringing you the fresh and fun entertainment you have been looking for.

Paisley and company is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday 10 am to 4pm. Stop in their location at 275 West Main St and browse their selection of over 300 different bath and body products.